Coronavirus19 Diary - A Missed Opportunity

 We had a moment, a small window, when we could have some unity. The country faced a common enemy, a deadly one for some. Even with a deeply divided country, with proper leadership, we could have banded together to fight it. 

But the country's leaders were determined to use the enemy to further divide the country. Instead of a unified front they created a patchwork of rules and regulations. Those attempted to keep their populations safe were at the mercy of those that did not. The virus had no respect for state boundaries, it spread from one place to another enabled by lies and inconsistent, callus, foolish leadership. Instead of bringing us together it drove us just a few short steps away from civil war. The hate and division stirred up by many in leadership culminated in an attack on our nation's capital. It created a mad crowd calling for the blood of those that did not believe as they did.

We have lost the moment. But, perhaps, after time and reflection, we can grow closer than before. Perhaps intelligent, measured, empathetic leadership will lead us to a, if not perfect, at least less damaged union. Maybe the historic numbers of people who voted in our last election will, despite the obstacles created to block them, continue to provide us with voices that had not been heard. Perhaps we can find a course forward and away from the whirlpool that spins us around in a circle, going nowhere.

Coronavirus19 Diary - A New Beginning?

 It was a momentous day, the CDC announcing that vaccinated people, such as myself, will no longer need to wear masks for both indoor and outdoor activities or practice social distancing. I will admit to an emotional dam inside be bursting at the news causing a few tears to run down my face. I look forward to hugging friends and family, there will be a wedding this summer in Washington that will give me the opportunity to to this in spades. It makes sense, knowing what we do. I, vaccinated, am well protected from the virus. This means that the chance of me contracting it and spreading it to others, the reason behind masking, is infinitesimal. 

Of course, it will take time for us to sort this out. Masks are still required on public transit and airplanes and, as I live in Chicago, I assume they will be required in a number, if not most, businesses for a while longer. Still, it feels as if we have reached the mouth of a dark tunnel, if not yet stepped completely into the bright sunshine outside it. 

This problem coming to a conclusion will give us an opportunity to focus on others brought to light and in some cases exacerbated by this dark era, minority discrimination, income inequality and the state of our nations crumbling infrastructure to name a few. Yet many in our country seem to be intent on obstruction instead of construction. Of continuing to use power to retain power for power's sake instead of utilizing it to better the lives of  those they were elected to serve. 

Will this change? Will this soon to be past period of social and economic upheaval make people pause and perhaps reassess their traditional allegiances and elect those who will move us forward instead of those who represent and cling to a divisive, harmful and inequitable status quo? Will we see, coming out of these dark ages, an American Renaissance? We can not know, but I, for one, am not yet willing to give up hope.